The Official U.K. Charts Company, compiler of Britain’s music sales charts, kicks off a new online game on Oct. 30 that will make dreams come true for aspiring music managers in Britain.
The Official U.K. Charts Company, compiler of Britain’s music sales charts, kicks off a new online game on Oct. 30 that will make dreams come true for aspiring music managers in Britain.
The game, open to all consumers 18 years or older, is called Fantasy Music Manager. Hosted at www.fantasymusicmanager.co.uk, the game is inspired by the successful soccer-based Fantasy Football Manager.
Winners will collect a total of £40,000 ($75,000) for predicting the best-selling artists during the eight weeks up to and including Dec. 24 — the day before the now iconic Christmas-Day charts on Dec. 25. Additionally, the victors will win tickets to the Brit Awards in February.
“Fantasy Music Manager allows everyone to engage with the singles and album charts and to take control of their favorite chart-performing artists,” said Darren Haynes, the OCC’s brand manager.
Each participating “manager” has to compile a roster of signed acts that have new releases coming up in the next eight weeks qualify.
The artists who qualify are also categorized, from 5 stars for the biggest names to 1 star for new chart entrants, based on their performances in the previous two years until Aug. 26.
Fantasy managers gain points depending on the performances of their artists in both the official weekly hit40u.k. singles chart, used by the commercial radio stations, and the Top 75 Official U.K. Album chart.
The contestants gain bonus points if their artists reach No. 1, win a prize at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen on Nov. 2, or appear on the Album Chart Show on commercial network C4. Points are updated every Sunday until Dec. 24
The player with the most points collects £25,000 ($47,000) and two BRITs tickets. The second prize is £5,000 ($9,400) and two BRIT tickets, followed by £2,500 ($4,700) and two BRIT tickets for the third prize.
There is additional cash prize for the most successful syndicate of five or more managers, who join forces to make the predictions.
Moreover, there are cash and ticket rewards for the individual “fantasy managers” who climb the most positions and score the most points per week.
Depending on the response to the initiative, the OCC will launch more such fantasy games next year.
Juliana Koranteng
Billboard
10/23/2006
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/uks-occ-dreams-on-with-fantasy-manager-game-1348733/